X-Carve: My Configuration As Ordered

One cool thing about Inventables is they let you customize the machine you are buying. For instance, if you have a bunch of NEMA 23 stepper motors lying around, you can remove them from your order and save yourself some money. So I started out by choosing the basic kit and making changes to that.

The first thing you choose is your model. There are two options: (my selections are in bold)

• Shapeoko 2 Upgrade Kit [$200.00]
• X-Carve Core Components – [$292.00]

You need to choose one. since I didn’t have a Shapeoko, I ordered the X-Carve Core Components

The next thing you choose is the size machine you want:

• None
• X-Carve 500mm Rail Kit – [Add $76.00] Black MakerSlide, extrusions and GT2 belts
• X-Carve 1000mm Rail Kit – [Add $231.00] Black MakerSlide, support extrusions, GT2 belts, brackets and hardware

If you know you aren’t going to make anything over 144 sq. in. or you don’t have the space, you can go with the 500mm kit. If you’re not sure and do have the space I’d recommend the 1000mm size machine that gives you 961 sq. in. of workspace. It’ll be more expensive, but if you choose the smaller machine you’ll be disappointed when you find this awesome project online that is 11×14″. I bought a 3D printer with a 4″ x 4″ x 5″ volume and keep running into cool stuff I want to print that is too big for my machine.

Then you choose the type of Z-Axis lead screw:

• None
• X-Carve M8 Threaded Rod Lead Screw Kit – [Add $11.00] M8 threaded rod, Delrin nut and hex nut
• X-Carve ACME Lead Screw Kit – [Add $30.00] ACME lead screw, Delrin nut and hex nut

I chose the ACME Lead screw, not because it’s more efficient like Inventables claims, but because it’ll have less backlash.

Next you choose whether you want a wasteboard:

• None
• X-Carve 1000mm Waste Board Kit – [Add $128.00] Waste board with threaded inserts and hardware (clamps not included)

I chose to make my own wasteboard, but they don’t tell you that you’ll be missing important hardware if you don’t choose one. I go into further detail here.

Then you get to choose the steppers:

• None
• X-Carve NEMA 17 Stepper Motor Kit – [Add $80.00] Four 60oz-in stepper motors, pulleys, hardware
• X-Carve NEMA 23 Stepper Motor Kit – [Add $150.00] Four 140oz-in stepper motors, pulleys, hardware

Since I choose the larger sized machine, I wanted the beefier steppers. Plus from my 3D printer experience, a smaller stepper is more likely to skip steps if it gets in a bind.

Next you choose your spindle type:

• None
• X-Carve DeWalt 611 Spindle and Mount – [Add $154.00] DeWalt 611 spindle (US voltages only), mount and hardware; we do not carry the 240V version (D26200)
• X-Carve DeWalt 611 Spindle Mount – [Add $35.00] Mount and hardware (spindle not included)
• X-Carve DeWalt DW660 Spindle Mount – [Add $35.00] Mount, mounting plate, hardware (spindle not included)
• X-Carve Bosch Colt Spindle Mount – [Add $38.00] Mount, mounting plate, hardware (spindle not included)

Since I have a Bosch Colt router, I choose the mount for that rather than spend money on another motor.

Then you choose your motor controller

• None
• X-Carve Arduino/gShield Motion Controller Kit – [Add $120.00] Arduino, gShield, enclosure, fan, USB cable, wire, hardware

I choose to skip this because I already have or can 3D print everything except the gShield controller. It turns out you can order the gShield for $50 from Inventables, which is exactly the same value as the gift card they gave me for ordering this on Black Friday Weekend.

Next you choose the power supply:

• None
• X-Carve Power Supply Kit – [Add $76.00] 24V / 16.7A / 400W Power supply, interface PCB, power cord and hardware

I was seriously thinking about buying a cheaper power supply elsewhere, but then I thought that this power supply is spec’d to work with this machine and has been vetted by them. Saving $30 just to add that kind of uncertainty didn’t seem worth it.

Then you choose the wiring kit:

• None
• X-Carve 1000mm Wiring Kit – [Add $30.00] Cable, terminal blocks, hardware

I choose to save money on wiring because I thought I had some shielded 18/4 lying around, but I didn’t. Then I started looking at prices at Inventables and other places online and found out that this might have been a mistake. I go into further detail here.

Next you choose if you want to purchase their drag chain

• None
• X-Carve 1000mm Drag Chain Kit – [Add $57.00] Drag chain, mounting brackets, hardware

I have found a really easy to 3D print drag chain and the proper mounts on Thingiverse.

Finally you choose whether you want limit switches and wiring:

• None
• X-Carve Limit Switch Kit – [Add $20.00] Switches, wire and hardware

I have a ton of these switches and I know I have a tom of 2 conductor wire.

There are some other optional things you can buy like the toolkit, a 1/8″ collet for the Dewalt spindle, software, etc. I choose not to buy any of that.

Here was my invoice:

Product: X-Carve
http://www.inventables.com/technologies/x-carve
Contents:
X-Carve
X-Carve 1000mm Rail Kit
X-Carve ACME Lead Screw Kit
X-Carve NEMA 23 Stepper Motor Kit
X-Carve Bosch Colt Spindle Mount
X-Carve Power Supply Kit
Unit price: $717.00
Quantity: 1
Total: $717.00

X-Carve components will ship via: UPS Ground ($19.43)
Note: Orders placed today ship within 1-2 weeks

X-Carve 1000mm Rail Kit will ship via: UPS Ground ($24.11)
Note: Orders placed today ship within 1-2 weeks

Shipping Total: $43.54
Grand Total: $760.54

Of course what I ordered actually added up to $817, but since I ordered it over Black Friday weekend, I got $100 off. And as soon as I recieved the code for my gift card I placed the order for the gShield. Here’s that invoice:

Product: gShield – 25368-03
http://www.inventables.com/technologies/gshield
Description: gShield
Unit price: $50.00
Quantity: 1
Total: $50.00

Your order will ship via: UPS Ground ($8.19)

Gift Certificate: ($50.00)
Grand Total: $8.19